He blinked. “What a delightfully bloodthirsty image, Elinor. Would you then eat it? I didn’t know you had such a violent streak. ”
Author: Anne Stuart
“I do where my sister is concerned. ”
“Your sister is safe,” he said. “You may set her down, Antoine. I would suggest the bed but she would fight you. The green chair should suffice. ”
She found herself settled gently into one of his chairs, and she jumped back up immediately.
“Someone restrain her,” Rohan said in an unconcerned voice. “Without hurting her,” he added, and the footmen took her arms and forced her back in the chair, careful not to be too rough. She sat back, knowing when a battle could not be won.
“Where is my sister?”
“Where I promised she should be,” he said as the two valets helped him into the rich satin coat that fit him perfectly. “She should be arriving at the château by now, and Mrs. Clarke will welcome her by taking her to her bosom. She’ll thrive in the good country air, and by the time the Revels have concluded she’ll be delighted to rejoin you and return to England. ”
“Why didn’t you let me say goodbye to her?”
He smiled thinly. “Dare I say I didn’t trust you? I gather you were very delicate when you first told her what the future held, but you have a ridiculously tender heart beneath that calm mien, and I think your sister’s tears would have broken through that admirable self-control. ”
“She was crying?” Elinor picked up the salient point.
“Of course she was. She just lost her mother and her old nanny, not to mention whatever meager possessions she still had, and her sister, the person she thought she could count on, has abandoned her. ”
Elinor clenched her hands, hiding them in the folds of her skirt. “Why would she think I’ve abandoned her?”
“My dear Elinor, do you really think she believed that ridiculous story you told her about becoming my amanuensis? Yes, I made certain someone was listening and reported to me—no, don’t jump up again. You should have realized I would do that. It’s wise not to underestimate me. ”
She did her best to hide her bitterness. “Indeed, I shall endeavor not to. ”
He turned away to survey himself in the mirror. Clearly the vision met with his approval. “Your sister is much smarter than you give her credit for,” he murmured. “Right now her imagination is running riot, coming up with all sorts of wicked things you might be getting into. You’ll have to write her and set her mind at ease. And I have no doubt that Mrs. Clarke will manage to make her feel better—she could cheer up Satan himself. ”
“She cheers you up?”
He laughed softly. “Oh, no, my precious. I’m not Satan. Merely one of his fallen angels. ” He waved away the offer of a wig, letting his luxurious silver-streaked black hair be tied in a neat queue. He held out his hands and his servants slid rings onto his long, elegant fingers, then he cocked his head, looking at her. “In truth, I’m glad you came in search of me. I had some questions for…”
“I didn’t come in search of you,” she snapped. “I would be happy if I never saw you again. I was looking for my sister. Since she is no longer here I will repair to my room, on my own two feet. You may call off your footman. ”
“Once I ascertain that your feet have healed, certainly,” he murmured. “Do you want me to undo your bandages or would you prefer to handle the honors yourself?”
She immediately tucked her feet under her voluminous skirts. “Don’t be ridiculous. ”
“I’ve already seen your bare feet, poppet,” he pointed out, the soul of reason. “And quite delightful they are. But I can assure you that unlike the Chevalier du Corvalle I find other parts of the body to be far more stimulating. Although you do have exquisite arches. ”
She looked at him with clear dislike. “I should have known better than to have trusted you. We made a bargain and you cheated. ”
“I would call a man out for saying such a thing. ” His voice was silken. “Do not trespass on my good nature. ”
“You’re not going to call me out. Indeed, I would be happy if you did. Shooting a gun couldn’t be that difficult, and I would like nothing more than to put a bullet in you. ”
“I think I liked the cutting out of my liver a bit better, child,” he said critically. “Firearms are so tediously impersonal. Not to mention loud. ”
She glared at him. She had been determined to keep her face and voice calm—she’d certainly had years of practice. During their slow descent into the lower echelons of Paris society she’d managed to convince her sister and indeed, the entire household, that things were not as dire as they seemed. She could lie quite handily, hide her fear and other roiling emotions. And yet Lord Rohan seemed to knock them down as swiftly as she erected them. “You truly are a despicable man, aren’t you?” she said, no longer mincing words.
His smile was charming, exquisite, as he looked down at her. “I am indeed, my precious. A true villain—you’d best remember that. As well as remembering that you had no choice when it came to your sister’s safety. If you wanted her away from here while my friends break almost every commandment then you must agree to whatever terms I offered you. It is that simple. ”
She didn’t bother to argue. He had the upper hand, which was both unsettling and infuriating. Fighting against him got her nowhere, and he probably enjoyed it. She needed to plan her battles more wisely. She took a deep, calming breath, forcing her hands to release their tight grip.
“So tell me, how are you feeling after the death of your dear mother? I expect the sense of relief is almost overpowering. ”